FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT KIND OF SINK SHOULD I USE?
Sinks are an important choice in remodeling a kitchen. There are various types, each having their pros and cons.
DOES GRANITE EMIT RADON GAS?
There are extremists on both sides of this subject. Many in the granite industry say there is absolutely no risk, while others, especially those who promote other synthetic surfaces, say the risk is too high to even consider putting stone in your house. The truth is, any stone can emit radon gas. However, the Marble Institute of America has done extensive studies and has found that, of the granites that do emit radon gas, the amount is so minute that it does not pose a health issue.
Find out more at http://www.marble-institute.com/consumers/granite_radoninfo.cfm
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WITH THE INSTALLATION PROCESS?
Excellent information can be found from the Marble Institute of America. Feel free to call us (386) 615-8080 with any questions.
WHAT DO I CLEAN MY COUNTERTOPS WITH?
Cleaning really couldn’t be easier. Just use water and a mild soap. Do not use harsh cleaners like soft scrub or Windex. These can leave a film that is difficult to get off. There are specific neutral stone cleaners which are ideal for keeping a brilliant natural shine. These items are for sale in our showroom.
HOW SHOULD I CHOSE MY FABRICATOR?
Choosing a fabricator is much like choosing a contractor to build your home. You likely would never think of calling a bunch of contractors and asking them how much they charge per square foot to build a house, and then choose the cheapest one. Some factors you should consider: Are they actually the fabricator? Do they have the slabs in stock and the machinery to cut and fabricate the stone? Are they simply a middleman or an installer? What is their reputation? Have they been in business a while? Do you feel comfortable with them after leaving their showroom? There is a wide range in the quality of workmanship as well as the quality of the stone. In this industry, you absolutely “get what you pay for”.
At Ormond Granite, we stock over 300 slabs of Granite, we do not outsource any of our work, the same person who does your template will also fabricate and install your countertops.
WILL THE SEAMS BE INVISIBLE LIKE IN CORIAN?
No. Our skilled craftsman prides themselves in giving you the most even, clean seam possible, but there is no such thing as an invisible seam in stone. Come into our showroom to get an idea of what a seam will look like. We use the biggest slabs possible to eliminate as many seams as we can. We’ll go over with you at the time of template where your seams, if any, will be located.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BEEF UP MY CABINETS TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF MY STONE?
Not usually. Almost all newer cabinets will support the weight just fine. If your cabinets need more supports, we generally can handle this at the time of template or installation.
CAN I PUT HOT POTS AND PANS ON MY STONE?
Yes. If you’ve selected granite this is not an issue. On quartz surfaces, you absolutely can NOT.
WILL MY STONE TOPS NEED ALOT OF MAINTENANCE?
No. All of your stone countertops will be sealed by us and other than occasionally resealing, there is little or no maintenance you will need to do.
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO SEAL MY COUNTERS?
Granite tops should be sealed about every 5 years, marble and other stones should be sealed every 1 to 3 years. You can buy sealer and apply it simply with a soft rag, it takes just a few minutes to apply and about an hour to dry.
WILL MY STONE BE COMPLETELY SMOOTH AND SHINE LIKE GLASS?
There are no stones that are completely smooth. Although your counters will pretty much have a glass like surface, natural stone has fissures, cracks and pits within it that may be observable depending on the lighting. You may also be able to feel these natural characteristics if you run your hand carefully along the surface.
WHAT CAN DAMAGE MY COUNTERTOPS OR FLOORS?
Although stone is very durable, you still must exercise some caution. Marble and other soft stone can be damaged by acids like lemon juice or harsh cleaners and chemicals such as acetone or scratched fairly easily. Granite is very hard, but if you were to drag a heavy item with a sharp object underneath (say a screw or pebble), you could scratch the surface. Scratches can be refinished but it is fairly expensive. Oils are probably the only thing that will really stain a granite top, and that’s really only if allowed to absorb for a long period of time. Also, it’s best never to stand on any stone surface, especially if it has a sink or cutout in it. It could fracture.
ARE STONE COUNTERTOPS EXPENSIVE?
Generally speaking, yes. But for about the same price as most of the other solid surface synthetics, you get far more value by having natural stone surfaces in your home. Price is greatly influenced by your color selection and application. For example, an exotic selection delivered to a second-floor kitchen will be quite a bit more than a standard color selection installed on the first floor.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY COUNTERTOPS?
From time of template, it generally will take about 1-5 days.
I GOT A CHEAPER PRICE FROM ANOTHER FABRICATOR, WILL YOU MATCH IT?
Most people find that the price is cheaper because certain things have been left out of the quote, such as backsplashes, undermount sink cutouts, outlet cutouts, bullnose or special edging, taxes, full 3-centimeter thickness, or various other things. We do not match “square foot” prices. Bring us your quote and we’ll be glad to work with you!